The freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1886-18??, 1887-03-02
BROTHER BABB COMES BACK.
And Here's Our Heart and Hand
for the Adoption OF the
Amendment.
GREENLAND, w. VA.
Feb. %.


Echo. In it advocated combi-
nation of all anti-saloon forces in
order to cary the Amendment just
submitted, believing that to be the
only hope of success. AS encour-
agement to this course, the evils
attending partizan methods were
considered, and the conclusion
reached, that we should improve
all opportunities (such as the pres
ent) to make appeal to the people
irrespective of party. These two
propositions were practically the
letter. Of course it cannot be re-
produced here. The only way to
judge of it's 'sophistry and fallacy"
Is to read it where printed. Some
sophistry there may be. AS to
the charge of vagueness of mean
ing "in certain parts" the criti-
cism is perhaps just, as the writer
was struggling with the desire to
write his real convictions, and in the
fear of seeming to heartlessly attack
those OF opposing views, miscon-
struction was not carefully guard
ed against. All sorts of differences
might be drawn from it. The Free
man in it's answer, has answered
much that was not asserted. 1t is
not denied, for instance, that Pro-
hibition is in politics and of right
ought to be. But the question as
to when it should be made party
issue is matter for the judgment.
1t is not denied that neither the
Republican ror Democratic party
is to-day a Prohibition party, nor
that the saloon influence is strong
in both. 1t is not denied that
our National and State Legislators
are more or less partisan in their
action. The above is not only ad-
mitted but insisted upon, in effect.
Nor is it agreed that the non-par-
tisan method is the cure-all for
the evils of the liquor traffic.
Doubtless to some National politi-
cal party will be committed the
task of eventually enforcing and
perhaps securing prohibition. If
it shall be the Third Party" so be
it. The writer made no attempt
to lead or to drive men from one
party to another or to induce them
TO continue in their present affilia-
tions. He has no quarrel with
the "Third Party" Let men
60 where honest conviction leads
and good will follow somehow.
"There is no accounting for the
differing convolutions in mems
brains, and they don't make much
difference" He makes no attempt
to forecast future political condi-
tons. lie is no prophet. The
problem is too large for his COM
prehension. That the situation is
full OF the elements that go to
make uncertainty, is alone plain.
He doesn't know absolutely his own
future position as to party, al
though it is indicated, AS regards
the Temperance question the clear
est call of duty seems to be, to
fight the saloon by all legitimate
methods wherever blows will tell
for lessening their power for evil.
If party action points to success,
use it. IT not, don't use it, but
fight tor practical results, always.
Now the Freeman asks in sub
stance, how do you expeot to secure
Prohibition in this State? l have
answered. "But you say it will
not be enforced if gained by this"
"pooling of issues" Better have
a hard time enforcing it than not
have it at all, but it will be en-
forced if the people want it to be,
and if they adopt it they will want
it to be enforced. The Freeman's
question seems to indicate that it
has another plan. What is it,
Will it make a Third Party CAM
paign for the Amendment? If so
the Amendments epitaph may as
we'll be written. If either the Re-
publican or Dem ocratic party
should make it an issue in its plat
form will the Third Party disband
and join that party7 1t cannot
for it is a National Party. Is it
not altogether probable that the
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